St Mary's Magazine November 2026 Issue 1381 - A4

More in this magazine

• Issue No 1381November 2026 St Mary’s Parish Magazine
• Who’s Who at St Mary’sVicar Assistant Priest
• ContentsPage 4 - From the Minister’s desk Page 5 - From the Editor’s Desk Page 6 - Jim Collins - The Addington Blacksmith Page 9 - One day of Remembrance - Two Military Burials Page 10 - More memories – Sunday School Hymns and Choruses Page 10 - Thought for the Month Page 11 - From the Parish Registers and Prayer List Page 12 - Bible Readings and Prayers (Collects) Page 15 - A Crisis Averted – Or Is It? Page 16 - Naming our Church Bells Page 17 - My Journey to Becoming Commissioned Pastoral Lay Minister Page 20 - Why Read the Bible? Page 21 - Childhood Hymns Revisited Page 22 - Charity of the Month Page 24 - Children’s Page Page 25 - My Little Friend Poem Page 26 - Our Chosen Group Page 26 - Copy Deadline Page 27 - Do you remember? Page 28 - Memories Revived by Daisies and Elephants! Page 32 - How much do you know-vember? Page 35 - The Simple Pleasures of Childhood Page 38 - St Mary’s Mothers’ Union Page 39 - Tree of the Month Page 41 - Croydon Airport Page 44 - The Parish of St Mary’s Addington Map St.Mary’s aims are Worshipping God and Loving our Neighbour.
• From the Minister’s DeskThe Clocks have gone forward and already it feels as if we have entered a different season. Days are shorter and the attraction of keeping warm and snug inside is very appealing. The secular world is already preparing to turn on Christmas lights at the beginning of November and shops are encouraging us to buy mince pies and festive treats already. Do keep an eye on friends or family who might find this time of year difficult and let Barbara or I know if anyone would like a visit. Here in church this month, we start by reflecting on Remembrance, in our All Souls service where we read out the names of those who are no longer physically with us and then our Act of Remembrance on 8th November when we will gather at our War memorial and remember over one hundred local men who went to war and many who did not return. The remaining Sundays in November focus on the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth with the Feast of Christ the King on 22nd November and then the first Sunday of Advent on 29th.
• From the Editor’s DeskIf you are reading this, then by some miracle and help from Penny in the Parish Office, a November magazine has somehow been created. As mentioned in the October issue, my platform for producing the magazine, namely Microsoft Publisher and its support have been withdrawn. Unfortunately my set up here, prevents me from accessing the system as I have for the past 11 years or so, but fortunately Publisher can (at present) still be accessed in the Parish Office. I apologise for the delay in getting the magazine printed and in some cases for a different presentation of some of the articles.
• Jim Collins – The Addington BlacksmithJim died on 6th October aged 91 and his funeral will be held in church on 9th November at 11am His daughter Marian has written about his life:
• Page 7Jim went to Addington Village School, next to the forge at the bottom of Spout Hill. He met his best friend there, Bill Hubbard whose father was the verger at St Mary’s. Bill lived in a cottage called Meadow View, now under the roundabout at the start of Kent Gate Way. It was surrounded by farms and fields, greenhouses, vegetable patches and haystacks. Jim spent a lot of time climbing tall trees with Bill, collecting birds’ eggs and he remembered Bill’s father selling vegetables and eggs after church on a Sunday. Jim had great trouble with his eyesight at school and one day he was caught using binoculars to read the board. He was given some glasses which helped but he always hid them from other children. He only paid attention when the teacher talked about music and it became one of his great interests.
• Page 8Jim returned to working full time at the forge and met his future wife Christine in a coffee shop in South Croydon when he was 22 and she was 18. For the next 3 years he visited her every Sunday whilst she was at Reading University and took great care of her mother who was recently widowed. He also had a job playing the accordion in the Selsdon Park Hotel. Jim and Chris were able to buy a dilapidated house in Teevan Road in Addiscombe and, before they married at St Mary’s in April 1963, they spent many months gutting and renovating it which they both really enjoyed. Their daughters Marian and Paula were born in 1965 and 1967 and then the family moved back closer to the village, buying a house in Gravel Hill in 1969. Jim worked at the forge for 6 days a week including a half day on a Saturday. He made ornamental ironwork including gates, railings and brackets for the council flower baskets and his work is still in evidence all around Croydon. He enjoyed buying and selling organs and keyboards and was always trading them in for the latest model. He could also build a pretty good speaker cabinet. He regularly played the organ at home as well as working a couple of nights each week playing keyboard in several different bands in the local area from the 1960’s to the 1990’s. He also played as part of a band on a German River Cruise Ship each year during the early 2000’s.
• Page 9ONE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE – TWO MILITARY BURIALS. On November 11th we remember the many military personnel who died in WW2. On that day, many memorial services around the U.K. are held, with the most well-known being at Westminster Abbey, where the randomly chosen body of a soldier was buried as a representative of all those others who had died defending their country. We offer prayers of thanks for their dedication to the cause and thanks to God for victory. On November 11th 397 A.D. a soldier, Martin, was buried at Tours, not only a soldier but as a man described by his friend Sulpicius Severus had written about him, miracle-worker in life and after death, a healer of lepers, his prayerful life as a follower of Christ, as a monk and monastery builder, aiming to reach and convert the people in rural areas, his involvement in doctrinal dispute, and as Bishop of Tours for twenty-five years! In old age, Martin knew his life was coming to and, and so did his close friends who begged him not to leave the. In answer he prayed, 'Lord, if you still need me, I do not refuse the work; but let your will be done'. So how did an unwilling young man follow his father, a pagan officer in the Roman army, realise his dream to be a Christian? After leaving prison where he was sent for protesting, as a Christian, for being forced to fight, he was riding along the road in Amiens, when he saw someone on the ground. It was an almost naked man shivering and srarving. At once, Martin jumped down from his horse, drew his sword and cut his warm cloak in two, wrapping the poor man in one half. Afterwards he had a dream in which Christ appeared to him, wearing the cloak he had given away! That was the turning point in his life. So began his Christian ministry. Many artists have depicted the scene of St. Martin dividing his cloak, and many churches bear his name or have stained glass windows telling his story. In France there are 500 villages and 4,ooo parish churches dedicated to him and in England also he was patron of churches; by 1,800 173 ancient churches were dedicated to him. His name was given to a fine spell of good weather around his feast day, November 11th, St. Martin's Summer! On November 11th, let us remember with gratitude those who fought against the evils of hatred and greed, and/ or for the Kingdom of God.
• More memories – Sunday School Hymns and ChorusesI will make you fishers of men Jesus bids me shine
• From the Parish RegistersBIRTHDAYS th 27 November Eliyah Makasa
• Bible Readings and Prayers November 2026Silence and stillness, times for reflection and meditation, and a moment within each day to offer our prayers and concerns to God for ourselves, our community and our world are vital if we are to sustain our busy and active lives. Try to find space at the same time each day to be with God by yourself, just for five or ten minutes. You might like to follow this simple daily routine: PRAYERS Anything that has struck you from reading For your own family and friends and your own concerns For our neighbourhood and world From the lists within these pages Prayer of week The Lord’s Prayer
• Page 13th 8
• Page 14th 29
• Page 15A Crisis Averted – Or Is It? I was relieved to read that the more grandiose elements of the hall development plan have been abandoned and that the thinking is now in tune with the original suggestion, made many years ago, that kitchen and toilet improvements are the priority.
• Page 16I don’t know if the system still pertains but in the Dark Ages when I was a warden there was a vicar’s warden and a people’s warden, the one who represented the views of the vicar and the other who spoke on behalf of the people, so both sides had a voice and their views were represented. Had the objectors to the hall scheme been better represented perhaps things would have been different. St. Mary’s church will soon (?) be under new management. Let’s hope that the clergy, parish officers, the various committees and members of the congregation will be kept fully informed of plans for the churches’ future be they large or small. And if something displeases you don’t be afraid to make your feelings known.
• My Journey to Becoming a Commissioned Pastoral Lay MinisterOver the past two years, I have been training to become a Commissioned Pastoral Lay Minister. It has been a journey of learning, reflection, personal growth and, most importantly, a deepening of my faith. During the first year, I completed the Bishop’s Certificate. The main focus was on the Old Testament, the New Testament and developing our academic writing skills. We were required to complete four written assignments, each of 1,500 words, which had to be submitted and signed off. I successfully completed all four assignments and passed the Bishop’s Certificate.
• Page 18As part of our training, we were encouraged to explore different areas of ministry, including visiting hospitals and prisons. These experiences gave us opportunities to learn about areas of ministry with which we might not have been familiar. They also helped us discover where our own gifts, interests and sense of vocation might lead us. An important part of the course was reflective practice. We were encouraged to think carefully about our experiences, reflect on what we had done and consider what we could learn from them. We did this by keeping a journal, attending regular group meetings with a facilitator, and meeting with a spiritual director who supported us in reflecting on our faith and ministry.
• Page 19One of the most important things I have learned about is safeguarding. This is such a vital part of ministry because it is about protecting people, caring for their wellbeing and ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity, respect and compassion. Above all, it has been an honour to learn alongside other people from the Church. Sharing our experiences, supporting one another and learning together has been a very special part of this journey.
• Page 20Why Read the Bible? There are many people who have never read the Bible. They have their own reasons, of course, but as am writing this on Bible Sunday, I thought I would submit the following anonymous reasons for doing so.
• Childhood Hymns RevisitedIn October’s issue of this magazine I wrote about the hymn ‘Daisies Are our Silver, Buttercups our Gold.’ Following on from that here is another hymn I sung in infant school in the late 1950s that came to mind following that article. Sadly, it too isn’t heard in infant assemblies nowadays. Glad That I Live Am I Glad that I live am I, That the sky is blue; Glad for the country lanes, And the fall of dew. After the sun the rain, After the rain the sun. This is the way of life, Till the work be done. All that we need to do, Be we low or high: Is to see that we grow Nearer the sky. Like the words of ‘Daisies are our Silver’ this hymn also gives thanks to God for nature’s beauty and the miracle of being alive to appreciate it. It expresses gratitude for life and its simple pleasures. The second verse emphasises the cyclical nature of weather and the seasons, bringing to mind farmers crops dependent on the sun and rain. The farmer’s work isn’t finished until they harvest their crop and then the cycle starts once again. On another level it can apply to you and me, for no matter whether we have good (sunny times) or not such good times (rainy days) we must preserve till our work is finished. The final verse could be taken literally or spiritually. Spiritually, it doesn’t matter our status in life (‘be it low or high’) our most important objective is to grow closer to God (‘to see that we grow nearer the sky’). I’d be interested to know if you remember singing this hymn over coffee in the church hall. Maybe you could write an article about it for the next magazine. Peter Bourne
• Croydon Together Night ShelterFrom January to April 2026, Croydon Voluntary Action worked alongside Housing Justice, Croydon Council, and a steering group of local faith and community organisations to deliver the Croydon Together Night Shelter. The shelter provided a safe, welcoming place for people experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year. Each night, between 18 and 20 guests accessed a warm bed, hot meals, shower facilities and person-centred support designed to help them build on their strengths and take positive steps towards longer-term stability.
• Page 23
• Children’s Page - Daniel in the Lion’s DenWorking together to help end homelessness in Croydon Daniel believed in God, but King Darius didn’t. He passed a law saying that anyone who prayed to God would be put in a den of lions. The lions would then eat that person. Daniel was put in with the lions all night. He prayed to God who sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions, so that they could not eat Daniel. In the morning King Darius was surprised to see Daniel alive. As a result of this Darius passed another law saying everyone must worship Daniel’s God. 1= brown 2= blue 3= green 4= yellow 5= grey 6 = red
• My Little FriendMy Little Friend I’ve got a little friend I play with every night, When I’m in bed and all alone We have a pillow fight. My little friend’s invisible – He isn’t really there, But I haven’t got a brother And I don’t think that is fair!
• Our Chosen GroupOur Chosen group, for young people in Year 6 and above, meets on the second Sunday of each month for an evening of fun, friendship and faith. The young people help shape the programme by suggesting activities they would enjoy, making each gathering something to look forward to. There is the chance to play badminton or shoot a few hoops before the evening’s activities begin.
• Page 27Do you remember? Fish and chips wrapped in newspaper. Glass bottles with a refundable deposit. 78 rpm records. Party telephone lines. Milk delivered in glass bottles. Television in black and white only. Bobbies on the beat. The coalman delivering your coal in sacks. Shilling-in-the-slot gas and electricity meters. Your G.P. making home visits. Television rental services. Scouts and Guides ‘bob-a-job’ week. Usherettes in the cinema Conductors on buses.
• Page 28MEMORIES REVIVED by Daisies and Elephants! Thank you, Peter, for reminding me of my primary school days in Yorkshire in 1940, when we had 'Assembly' every day! I didn't care much for the talking bit, but I did enjoy the singing, which frequently included 'Daisies are our silver.' We also sang:
• Page 29
• Independent Family Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons Founded 1877CROYDON 1, Norfolk House, Wellesley Road, CR0 1LH Tel: 020 8688 1447 or 2003 and SELSDON/SANDERSTEAD 175 Selsdon Park Road, South Croydon CR2 8JJ . Tel: 020 8657 3616 - Chapel of Rest 24- hour service. Free parking in centre of Croydon. Funeral plans www.jbshakespearefunerals.co.uk
• Home RemedieSYour Local Handyman For quality home maintenance and decoration
• Page 32How much do you know-vember? Make a cup of tea, wrap up warm and have a go at my quiz and find out. Good luck.
• Page 33st 14. The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run takes place on November 1 from? (a) Regents Park (b) Hyde Park (c) Green Park (d) Battersea Park
• MIKE WESTCOTT RUDD LEGAL SERVICES LTDTel: 07793490899 Email: [email protected] Property disputes and planning Probate and Wills Employment matters Tax Planning Commercial matters Business start-up General Legal Advice
• The Simple Pleasures of Childhood by Peter BourneWriting my recent article about making daisy chains and holding a buttercup under the chin to see if someone likes butter got me thinking about the other things I did as a child. Lots of pleasure was got using something from something from nature. One of the popular things we did as boys was playing conkers. I would get my conkers from the ring of horse chestnut trees in Addington Park. After school you would see boys throwing sticks up at the trees to knock down the conkers to put in bags to take home. The best ones had a flat side, known in conker circles as a ‘cheese cutter’. I’d use mum’s meat skewer to make a hole in each one, then thread a length of string through the hole and tie a knot at one end. Some children ‘cheated’ by making their conkers harder soaking them in vinegar, baking them in the oven or coating them in varnish. In school playgrounds all the country you’d see boys playing conkers. If your conker had broken two other conkers, for example, it would be two-er. If your two-er smashes a six-er then your one becomes an eight-er and so on. If your opponent’s conker came off the string but wasn’t broken you were allowed to try and break it by stamping on it whilst repeatedly saying ‘stampees’ as they try to pick up their conker and re-string it.
• Page 36When you were with friends you could also have acorn fights, simply by picking the acorns up and throwing them at each other. I know I did. Thinking about it there were quite a lot of things you could throw at others that would attach themselves to woolly jumpers. There are quite a few, such as the small cleavers that would cling to your socks. Burdock seed heads were good because they were quite large.
• Page 37
• St Mary’s Mothers’ UnionBranch leader Pat Heady Tel: 020 8240 2179 or M: 07970 270704 Email: [email protected] ST MARY’S ADDINGTON VILLAGE MOTHERS’ UNION
• Tree of the Month: The English LimeHello there, traveller. Stop awhile on your journey and take a rest in the shade under my broad canopy. I was once commonly known as the linden tree which is our true name. Over the years people started to call me the English lime tree. I don’t know why. It is very confusing I’m not related to the true lime tree, the one that gives you green citrus fruits. My fruits are winged and nut-like, but they are not edible. I am a grand tree that has stood watch over these lands for many years. At 40 metres in height I cast deep, cool shadows below. Very pleasant for people to sit under. I will reach maturity somewhere between 50 and a150 years, which is not a great age for a tree. However, some of ancestors who live in Europe are over 1,000 years old.
• Page 40My ancestors have lined grand avenues, have given shade to village greens and have listened to human secrets for generations. I’m known for reducing anxiety in humans. You can make a herbal tea from my flowers which has a relaxing effect I’m told. I have featured a lot in ancient myths and legends. You people think of me as a symbol of love and fertility. Why? Because of my heart-shaped leaves, of course. It is said that couples who sit under me will have a long and happy relationship.
• CROYDON AIRPORT by Peter J MarsonWhen I retired from Secondary school teaching in 2002 I started volunteering weekly at the Archives at the old Croydon Airport. They were situated in the former Gatehouse at the time, next to what used to be TGI Fridays. Since then we have had to move three times (including for several years in the former workshop used by the Theatrical props company Scena until that was required for “redevelopment”). We are now based in two rooms at Airport House, a storage room on the ground floor and office cum library on the first floor. These rooms contain hundreds of thousands of items including books, photos, logbooks, memorabilia and artifacts connected with Croydon Airport’s history from the 1920s up to the present day. Croydon Airport was the main airport for London from 1922 until 1945, and then postwar after Heathrow opened on 1 st January 1946 until 1956 the main airport for charter airlines. From 1956 when the extended Gatwick opened until closure to flying on 30 th September 1959 there were still regular flights, but mainly use by club and executive aircraft. From then until the late 1970s aircraft continued to be overhauled or built at Croydon, but had to be transported in and out by road. I am now the only member of the Archives or indeed Open Day volunteer team who experienced Croydon as a live airport. With our listed building as the world’s first purpose-built Air Terminal and a fine example of the architectural style of the era, we are now the Number 1 visitor attraction in Croydon.
• Page 42Continued ...
• Page 43At the airport, I asked in the terminal for the way to Rollasons’ hangar and was pointed in the right direction. On being stopped by a policeman at the Gatehouse, I was allowed to continue after proudly showing him my letter on headed notepaper from Rollasons. Arriving at the hangar, I was shown round by a Mr.Hunt. I then asked if it was okay to wander round all the Tiger Moths parked on the south end of the airfield along the Purley Way (See aerial photo – the Tiger Moths are the lines of white dashes in the top right-hand corner of the image). He replied that that was fine and that I should come back to find him when I had finished. No one accosted me whilst I was walking round the rows and rows of Tiger Moths, and I spent a happy hour wandering round and making notes. Including the Tiger Moths I saw elsewhere on the airfield later that day, my notebook recorded the grand total of 114 of the type! On arriving back at Rollasons’ hangar, Mr Hunt said that if I wanted to, he would walk over to the “Flight” and “Air Enterprise” hangars at the other end of the airfield with me during his lunch break. I was delighted with this offer of course, and conveniently we had to pass the other charter airline hangars of Transair and Morton/Olley Air Services on the way! I was also shown into a rare type of late 1930s executive aircraft, a Percival Q6, standing on the tarmac (see photo of it in front of Croydon’s iconic control tower). This was the first and only occasion that I ever went inside this type of aircraft. In and around the hangars were dozens of aircraft belonging to the charter airlines, together with some reals gems of vintage aircraft, and all together the total number of aircraft on Croydon Airport that day was over 200.
• The Parish of St Mary’s AddingtonServices Sunday 8.00am Eucharist Common Worship (Order One, in traditional language) Sunday 10.00am The Parish Eucharist and Junior Church 6.30pm Choral Evensong (4th Sunday of the month usually) Tuesday 8pm Said Eucharist VICAR - Parish currently in Vacancy ASSISTANT PRIEST- The Reverend Barbara Gentilella Tel 020 8777 4462